Modular Trial Implant Coupling Without Tissue-Trapping Protrusions

The harmful protruding fingers that cause tissue entrapment are completely removed from the design. Instead, the patent uses a smooth conical receptacle with internal locking mechanisms that engage behind the connecting cone, eliminating the need for external fingers that can snag soft tissue during insertion and removal.

The locking mechanism is inverted from external fingers protruding outward to internal locking elements positioned inside the conical receptacle. The locking elements engage behind the connecting cone from the inside, reversing the traditional approach and eliminating tissue entrapment hazards.

The complex geometries with spaces between fingers are completely removed. The patent employs a smooth conical receptacle surface without protrusions or recesses that could trap tissue or fluids, allowing for simple and effective machine cleaning followed by steam sterilization.

While not using porous materials literally, the design principle aligns with creating surfaces that do not trap contaminants. The smooth, continuous conical surface allows cleaning solutions to flow freely without becoming trapped in crevices, enabling effective automated cleaning processes.

The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple locking elements positioned at different heights within the conical receptacle. Each locking element can engage with connecting cones of different lengths independently, allowing the same receptacle to accommodate various cone sizes without increasing external complexity or tissue entrapment risk.

The locking elements are nested within the conical receptacle structure, with each locking element positioned at different axial levels. This nested arrangement allows multiple locking positions to be integrated within the single conical geometry, providing versatility for different cone lengths while maintaining a simple external profile.